KYOTO AT A GLANCE
Food
Kyoto Ippodo Tea
A local landmark and a favourite amongst both
locals and tourists, the Ippodo Teahouse
situated on Teramachi-dori offers patrons a
selection of traditional teas and a detailed
tea-making experience accompanied by
detailed explanations of the techniques
involved with every order. Some teas on offer
include matcha, sencha and bancha,
alongside the umami-
flavoured gyokuro, which
will present a unique
and pleasant surprise
to your tastebuds.
The teahouse also
packages its tea for
purchase by
customers who
simply cannot get
enough of their
magnificent flavours. Be
sure to visit the teahouse
in the early afternoon to have
the best chance of obtaining a seat in
this popular outlet.
Owww.ippodo-tea.co.jpTousuiro
Kyoto is famous for its kaiseki cuisine, Buddhist
vegetarian food and tofu. The best restaurant
that specialises in tofu according to many is
Tousuiro, a local chain consisting of two
restaurants, with one situated in the Gion area
and the other in Kiyamachi, overlooking the
Kamo River. Tofu lovers should not miss the
chance to sample all manners of delectable tofu
meshed perfectly with other local delicacies. Of
particular note is the oboro yudofu, which
consists of three types of tofu simmering
in a light vegetable broth in a wooden
vessel, served with a light dashi sauce.
As Tousuiro is very popular, make
reservations in advance to avoid
disappointment.
Owww.
tousuiro.
comEbisugawa Enraku
One of the most well known restaurants in
Kyoto, Ebisugawa Enraku serves traditional
oden, a dish consisting of several ingredients
such as eggs, daikon and fishcakes in a light,
dashi broth. The dish is typically consumed
in the colder periods of autumn, winter as
well as early spring and is popular around
the country. Visit the restaurant for a taste
of what is considered by the locals as
high-quality oden and admire some of items
that adorn the store, relics from the 70s and
80s, as well as the luxurious inner
architecture, which is reminiscent of
traditional Japanese wooden homes.CLOCKWISE FROM TOP A dish
of rice and bamboo sprouts
from Ebisugawa Enraku;
umami-flavoured Gyokuro
tea at the Ippodo Teahouse;
an appetiser of fish and tofu
at Tousuiro; the complete
steak dinner set at KyouPHOTOGRAPH: NOKU ROXY
Kyou Karasuma
Situated in the basement of the Noku
Kyoto hotel, Kyou Karasuma is a
restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch
and dinner. Sample some of Kyoto’s
high-quality beef prepared in several
local styles including shabu-shabu,
sukiyaki or have it grilled or roasted to
perfection by the chef. Visit during the
night to spend some time at the
restaurant bar, Noku Bar, for some great
Japanese whiskies and sake, and to take
in the exquisitely decorated space.
Okyou-karasuma.com